The Crowning of Joas

2 Chronicles 23

The priest Jodae leads the Levites and people of Judah in a plan to bring the young Joas out of hiding and proclaim him king, and after Athaliah is put to death the people tear down the house of Baal and restore worship in the house of the Lord.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonBUT in the eighth year Jodae strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, namely, Azarias son of Joram, and Ismael son of Joanan, and Azarias son of Obed, and Maasias son of Adia, and Elisaphan son of Zacharias, with him into the house of the Lord.

BrentonAnd in the eighth year Jodae strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azarias the son of Joram, and Ismael the son of Joanan, and Azarias the son of Obed, and Maasæas the son of Adia, and Elisaphan the son of Zacharias, with him into the house of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ ὀγδόῳ ἐκραταίωσεν Ἰωδαὲ, καὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς ἑκατοντάρχους, τὸν Ἀζαρίαν υἱὸν Ἰωρὰμ, καὶ τὸν Ἰσμαὴλ υἱὸν Ἰωανὰν, καὶ τὸν Ἀζαρίαν υἱὸν Ὠβὴδ, καὶ τὸν Μαασαίαν υἱὸν Ἀδία, καὶ τὸν Ἐλισαφὰν υἱὸν Ζαχαρίου, μεθʼ ἑαυτοῦ εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου.

KJVAnd in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

JPSAnd in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

ThomsonAnd when they had made a circuit round Juda, and had assembled the Levites out of all the cities of Juda and the chiefs of the patriarchal families of Israel; and they were come to Jerusalem,

BrentonAnd they went round about Juda, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Juda, and heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκύκλωσαν τὸν Ἰούδαν, καὶ συνήγαγον τοὺς Λευίτας ἐκ πασῶν τῶν πόλεων Ἰούδα, καὶ ἄρχοντας πατριῶν τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ.

KJVAnd they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

JPSAnd they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers’houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

Thomsonthe whole congregation of Juda, made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Now when he shewed them the king’s son he said to them, Behold the king’s son! Let him be king as the Lord hath spoken to the house of David.

BrentonAnd all the congregation of Juda made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he shewed them the king's son, and said to them, Lo, let the king's son reign, as the Lord said concerning the house of David.

GreekΚαὶ διέθεντο πᾶσα ἡ ἐκκλησία Ἰούδα διαθήκην ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως· καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ἰδοὺ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ βασιλέως βασιλευσάτω, καθὼς ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Δαυίδ.

KJVAnd all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

JPSAnd all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them: ‘Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath spoken concerning the sons of David.

ThomsonNow this is what you must do, Let the third of you, the priests and Levites, come in on the sabbath, to guard the outer gates; and a third of you be at the king’s house,

BrentonNow this is the thing which ye shall do. Let a third part of you, even of the priests and of the Levites, enter in on the sabbath, even into the gates of the entrances;

GreekΝῦν ὁ λόγος οὗτος, ὃν ποιήσετε· τὸ τρίτον ἐξ ὑμῶν εἰσπορευέσθωσαν τὸ σάββατον τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰς πύλας τῶν εἰσόδων,

KJVThis is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;

JPSThis is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;

Thomsonand the other third at the middle gate; and all the people in the courts of the house of the Lord;

Brentonand let a third part be in the house of the king; and another third at the middle gate: and all the people in the courts of the Lord's house.

Greekκαὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν τῇ πύλῃ τῇ μέσῃ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐν αὐλαῖς οἴκου Κυρίου.

KJVAnd a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

JPSand a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation; and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

Thomsonand let none enter the house of the Lord, but the priests and the Levites. Such of the Levites as are on duty may come in for they are holy. But let all the people keep the watches of the Lord.

BrentonAnd let not any one enter into the house of the Lord, except the priests and the Levites, and the servants of the Levites; they shall enter in, because they are holy: and let all the people keep the watch of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ μὴ εἰσελθέτω εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, ἐὰν μὴ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται καὶ οἱ λειτουργοῦντες τῶν Λευιτῶν· αὐτοὶ εἰσελεύσονται ὅτι ἅγιοί εἰσι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς φυλασσέτω φυλακὰς Κυρίου.

KJVBut let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

JPSBut let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the charge of the LORD.

ThomsonAnd let the Levites encompass the king round about, every man with his weapon in his hand; and whoever cometh into the house, let him be put to death. And they shall be with the king, when he cometh in and goeth out.

BrentonAnd the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man's weapon in his hand; and whoever else goes into the house shall die: but they shall be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.

GreekΚαὶ κυκλώσουσιν οἱ Λευῖται τὸν βασιλέα κύκλῳ ἀνδρὸς σκεῦος σκεῦος ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ εἰσπορευόμενος εἰς τὸν οἶκον ἀποθανεῖται, καὶ ἔσονται μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐκπορευομένου καὶ εἰσπορευομένου αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

JPSAnd the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever cometh into the house, let him be slain; and be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.’

ThomsonSo the Levites and all the chiefs of Juda did according to all that Jodae the priest commanded them, and they took every man his men, who were to be on duty from the beginning to the end of the week; for Jodae the priest did not break the courses;

BrentonAnd the Levites and all Juda did according to all that the priest Jodae commanded them, and they took each his men from the beginning of the sabbath to the end of the sabbath, for Jodae the priest did not dismiss the courses.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ Λευῖται καὶ πᾶς Ἰούδα κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεύς· καὶ ἔλαβον ἕκαστος τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς τοῦ σαββάτου ἕως ἐξόδου τοῦ σαββάτου, ὅτι οὐ κατέλυσεν Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς τὰς ἐφημερίας.

KJVSo the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

JPSSo the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

Thomsonand Jodae gave them the swords, and shields, and arms which belonged to king David, and were in the house of God.

BrentonAnd Jodae gave to the men the swords, and the shields, and the arms, which had belonged to king David, in the house of God.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν Ἰωδαὲ τὰς μαχαίρας καὶ τοὺς θυρεοὺς καὶ τὰ ὅπλα ἃ ἦν τοῦ βασιλέως Δαυὶδ ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ θεοῦ.

KJVMoreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.

JPSAnd Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.

ThomsonAnd when he had stationed all the people every one with his arms from the right corner of the house, to the left corner of the altar, and the house all around about the king,

BrentonAnd he set the whole people, every man with his arms, from the right side of the house to the left side of the altar and the house, over against the king round about.

GreekΚαὶ ἔστησε τὸν λαὸν πάντα ἕκαστον ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ τῆς ὠμίας τοῦ οἴκου τῆς δεξιᾶς ἕως τῆς ὠμίας τῆς ἀριστερᾶς τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ τοῦ οἴκου, ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα κύκλῳ.

KJVAnd he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.

JPSAnd he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king round about.

Thomsonhe brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the ensign of royalty, and the testimonies. And Jodae the priest and his sons, proclaimed him king, and anointed him with oil and said, Live the king!

BrentonAnd he brought out the king's son, and put on him the crown and the testimony, and Jodae the priest and his sons proclaimed him king, and anointed him, and said, Long live the king!

GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἔδωκεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν τὸ βασίλειον καὶ τὰ μαρτύρια, καὶ ἐβασίλευσαν καὶ ἔχρισαν αὐτὸν Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπαν, ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς.

KJVThen they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

JPSThen they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown and the insignia, and made him king; and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said: ‘Long live the king.’

ThomsonAnd when Gotholia heard the noise of the people running, and proclaiming, and praising the king, she went to the king, to the house of the Lord,

BrentonAnd Gotholia heard the sound of the people running, and acknowledging and praising the king: and she went in to the king into the house of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσε Γοθολία τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ λαοῦ τρεχόντων, καὶ ἐξομολογουμένων, καὶ αἰνούντων τὸν βασιλέα· καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου.

KJVNow when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:

JPSAnd when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD;

Thomsonand looked, and lo! the king was on his platform, and at the entrance were the chiefs, with the trumpets. And the chiefs around the king, and all the people of the land, were full of joy; and the trumpets were sounding, accompanied by musicians with their instruments of music, and the singers singing songs of praise. Upon which she rent her robe and cried with a loud voice, Treason! Treason!

BrentonAnd she looked, and, behold, the king stood in his place, and the princes and trumpets were at the entrance, and the princes were round the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded the trumpets, and there were the singers singing with instruments, and singing hymns of praise. And Gotholia rent her robe, and cried, Ye surely are plotting against me.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδε, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τῆς στάσεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς εἰσόδου οἱ ἄρχοντες καὶ οἱ σάλπιγγες· καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες περὶ τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς ηὐφράνθη, καὶ ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς σάλπιγξι, καὶ οἱ ᾄδοντες ἐν τοῖς ὀργάνοις ᾠδοὶ, καὶ ὑμνοῦντες αἶνον· καὶ διέῥῥηξε Γοθολία τὴν στολὴν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐβόησεν, ἐπιτιθέμενοι ἐπιτίθεσθε.

KJVAnd she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

JPSand she looked, and, behold, the king stood on his platform at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets; the singers also [played] on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said: ‘Treason, treason.’

ThomsonThereupon Jodae the priest went out, and gave orders to the captains of hundreds, even the chief officers of the army, and said to them, Drive her out of the house, and go after her and put her to death with the sword. Because the priest said, Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord,

BrentonAnd Jodae the priest went forth, and Jodae the priest charged the captains of hundreds, even the captains of the host, and said to them, Thrust her forth outside the house, and follow her, and let her be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς, καὶ ἐνετείλατο Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς τοῖς ἑκατοντάρχοις, καὶ τοῖς ἀρχηγοῖς τῆς δυνάμεως, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ἐκβάλετε αὐτὴν ἐκτὸς τοῦ οἴκου, καὶ εἰσέλθατε ὀπίσω αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀποθανέτω μαχαίρᾳ, ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἱερεὺς, μὴ ἀποθανέτω ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.

KJVThen Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

JPSAnd Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them: ‘Have her forth between the ranks; and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword’; for the priest said: ‘Slay her not in the house of the LORD.’

Thomsontherefore they opened a passage for her, and when she had gone out through the horsemen’s gate, of the king’s house, they slew her there.

BrentonSo they let her go out; and she went through the horsemen's gate of the house of the king, and they slew her there.

GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῇ ἄνεσιν, καὶ διῆλθε διὰ τῆς πύλης τῶν ἱππέων τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτὴν ἐκεῖ.

KJVSo they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.

JPSSo they made way for her; and she went to the entry of the horse gate to the king’s house; and they slew her there.

ThomsonThen Jodae made a covenant between the Lord, and the people and the king, that they would be the Lord’s people.

BrentonAnd Jodae made a covenant between himself, and the people, and the king, that the people should be the Lord's.

GreekΚαὶ διέθετο Ἰωδαὲ διαθήκην ἀναμέσον αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τοὺ βασιλέως, εἶναι λαὸν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

KJVAnd Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people.

JPSAnd Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be the LORD’S people.

ThomsonAnd all the people of the land, went to the house of Baal and demolished it, and his altars, and broke to pieces his idols, and slew Matthan the priest of Baal before his altars.

BrentonAnd all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and tore down it and its altars, and they ground his images to powder, and they slew Matthan the priest of Baal before his altars.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς εἰς οἶκον Βάαλ, καὶ κατέσπασαν αὐτὸν καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήρια αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα αὐτοῦ ἐλέπτυναν, καὶ τὸν Ματθὰν ἱερέα Βάαλ ἐθανάτωσαν ἐναντίον τῶν θυσιαστηρίων αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

JPSAnd all the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

ThomsonAnd Jodae the priest committed the works of the house of the Lord to the priests and the Levites, and re-established the courses of the priests, and the Levites, into which David had distributed them. And they offered whole burnt offerings to the Lord, as it was written in the law of Moses, with gladness and with hymns, composed by David.

BrentonAnd Jodae the priest committed the works of the house of the Lord into the hand of the priests and Levites, and he re-established the courses of the priests and Levites which David appointed over the house of the Lord, and he appointed them to offer whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses, with gladness, and with songs by the hand of David.

GreekΚαὶ ἐνεχείρισεν Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς τὰ ἔργα οἴκου Κυρίου διὰ χειρὸς ἱερέων καὶ Λευιτῶν, καὶ ἀνέστησε τὰς ἐφημερίας τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν, ἃς διέστειλε Δαυὶδ ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου, καὶ ἀνενέγκαι ὁλοκαυτώματα Κυρίῳ, καθὼς γέγραπται ἐν νόμῳ Μωυσῆ, ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ καὶ ἐν ᾠδαῖς διὰ χειρὸς Δαυίδ.

KJVAlso Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.

JPSAnd Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt-offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the direction of David.

ThomsonAnd the keepers of the gates attended at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none might enter who was in any respect unclean.

BrentonAnd the porters stood at the gates of the house of the Lord, that no one unclean in any respect should enter in.

GreekΚαὶ ἔστησαν οἱ πυλωροὶ ἐπὶ τὰς πύλας οἴκου Κυρίου, καὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται ἀκάθαρτος εἰς πᾶν πρᾶγμα.

KJVAnd he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.

JPSAnd he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none that was unclean in any thing should enter in.

ThomsonThen he took the patriarchs and the mighties, and the chiefs of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought up the king to the house of the Lord, thence he passed through the inner gate to the house of the king, and they seated him on the throne of the kingdom;

BrentonAnd he took the heads of families, and the mighty men, and the chiefs of the people, and all the people of the land, and they conducted the king into the house of the Lord; and he went through the inner gate into the king's house, and they seated the king on the throne of the kingdom.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς πατριάρχας, καὶ τοὺς δυνατοὺς, καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπεβίβασαν τὸν βασιλέα εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, καὶ εἰσῆλθε διὰ τῆς πύλης τῆς ἐσωτέρας εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἐκάθισαν τὸν βασιλέα ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς βασιλείας.

KJVAnd he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.

JPSAnd he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD; and they came through the upper gate unto the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.

Thomsonand all the people of the land rejoiced; for the city was quiet, after they had slain Gotholia.

BrentonAnd all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet: and they slew Gotholia.

GreekΚαὶ ηὐφράνθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἡ πόλις ἡσύχασε, καὶ τὴν Γοθολίαν ἐθανάτωσαν.

KJVAnd all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

JPSSo all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet; and they slew Athaliah with the sword.